Sometimes the smallest of variables make the difference between a hit and miss in the kitchen. You might follow a recipe to a tee but leave a cake in the oven for a minute too long or finish a dish off with a pinch too much salt. With this in mind, we present to you: the cooling rack. The cooling rack is one of the biggest unsung heroes in the kitchen. It can literally elevate your creations, simply by letting air circulate better around your sweet and savory goods. Not only that, but they've also got you covered for your baking and roasting needs. Your cookies can keep their crisp bottoms, rather than getting soggy from condensation, and your bacon-wrapped dates can retain those perfectly crunchy exteriors. We've rounded up cooling racks that will ensure your food cools properly and finishes strong. Wilton Excelle Elite 3-Tier Cooling Rack Stack 'Em HighThis stackable cooling rack can be configured to fit whatever needs you may have.Best OverallFind on Amazon There’s nothing more annoying than running out of space, whether that’s on your cooling rack or kitchen counter. And you can trust Wilton, one of the leading brands for all things bakeware, to come up with a solution. The Wilton Excelle Elite 3-Tier Cooling Rack comes with three racks that you can stack or unstack, depending on how much space you want to free up. If you’re baking multiple batches of cookies, this one’s your new best friend. Pros: The legs on these racks fold under, so you can also use them individually instead of stacked. They also store easily when folded. There’s ample space between the racks when they are stacked, so you don’t have to worry about cakes or muffins not having room to breathe. Lightweight construction makes this rack easy to handle. Cons: Some might prefer a grid construction to ensure nothing falls through. If you’re cooling anything miniature-sized, make sure it’s large enough to not fall through the rack’s cracks. These racks are not oven-safe. Spring Chef Cooling Rack Carry That WeightFrom a spread of BBQ meats to a fleet of holiday pies, this cooling rack is up for any task.Best Large SizeFind on Amazon If you’re looking for one cooling rack, and only one, the Spring Chef Cooling Rack is the way to go. In fact, it doesn’t just cool your food; no, it’s also oven-safe, so you can bake, broil, and roast your food on this rack. It features 100% solid stainless steel for the best and most long-lasting construction. If you are looking for an all-around performer that is also dishwasher-safe, this rack’s for you. Pros: Not only is this rack oven-safe, but it can handle up to 575 degrees F. You really cannot beat the convenience of this cooling rack’s size, which will fit to most sheet pans. Comes with a lifetime warranty. Cons: The grid on this rack is spaced a little closely. Some folks might want more of a loose grid. Ultra Cuisine Stainless Cooling & Baking Rack Small But MightyPressed for space? Be cool – this cooling rack's got you covered.Best Quarter SizeFind on Amazon The Ultra Cooling Rack is made for those times when you’re not going to bust out the sheet tray or turn on your oven. It’s intended for the classic 9″ x 13″ pans, making it ideal for when you’re baking with your countertop or toaster oven. Though this rack is smaller, it’s still heavy-duty and holds up well. You can even have this one do double-duty to raise up and cool off your laptop. Pros: The support bars on this rack run the full length of the rack, rather than along the width. This means extra strength and stability. Comes with a lifetime warranty. Cons: Won’t be large enough for more “all-purpose” use. Checkered Chef Cooling Racks (Set of 2) Cool and Collected, Even Under PressureThis cooling rack has not four, but six raised feet for added balance. Furthermore, it'll do its job reliably without bending or breaking under pressure.Best for Extra StabilityFind on Amazon If you’ve ever been annoyed with the middle of a cooling rack bending slightly under too much weight, you’ll be glad to know that you never have to worry about that with the Checkered Chef Cooling Rack. This rack features 3 crossbars, resulting in a total of 6 raised feet. You’ll never have to worry about too little support with this stainless steel rack. Pros: The rack also features an additional rod that runs across the length of the rack for even more stability. Comes in a set of 2, and we think it’s always nice to have another one on hand just in case. Cons: If you prefer a variety of sizes, you might not want to lock yourself in with 2 of these racks. Tebery Cooling Racks 4-Pack Rack of All TradesIf you're always cooking and baking multiple things at once, this set has got you covered. Plus, it comes in black or gold.Most VersatileFind on Amazon For the avid home baker and cook who has all stoves fired up at once and the oven going as well, you’d be silly not to go with the Tebery 4-Pack Cooling Racks. This pack of 4 comes with two racks that measure 16″ x 10″, and two that measure 11″ x 10″. The rack is made of carbon steel, and it keeps a narrow grid pattern for support as well. Pros You get the best of both worlds with 2 of each pan in 2 different sizes. This rack comes in either black or gold, so if you’re a fan of matching your kitchen appliances and tools to your personal palette you have color options. Cons: For those who don’t cook or bake as often and never run out of cooling rack space, this pack might be going slightly overboard for you. Frequently Asked Questions How tall should the cooling racks be compared to my sheet and baking pans? This depends on your needs and preference. Some prefer the rack to sit further into the baking vessel so that your food won’t roll off in the oven. Make sure to measure your baking sheets and baking pans to make sure the dimensions of whatever rack you choose will fit.